Chess Saint Gu Qingcheng

The next morning.

The first light of dawn painted the eastern sky.

The intoxicating sea of clouds resembled a dreamscape. Seated gracefully in the mountain peak's elegant pavilion, Bai Piaopiao gazed with anticipation, as if the surrounding scenery had become even more breathtaking than usual.

She poured tea with her own hands, her heart fluttering as she waited.

After what felt like an eternity,

a servant emerged from the sea of clouds, bowing respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the White Emperor,"

"Young Master Yi Feng has yet to rise. We dared not disturb him."

At these words,

Bai Piaopiao's eyes flickered with surprise, though she did not reprimand the servant, merely waving her jade-like hand to dismiss them.

Only when she was alone again

did a trace of disappointment surface in her clear eyes.

The day before,

she had sent an invitation through her attendants, asking Yi Feng to join her for tea at dawn.

Before the sky had even brightened,

she had already prepared the tea set, even bringing out the sacred immortal tea—a treasure so rare, only a pound could be harvested every ten thousand years. Apart from Su Jie, no one else had ever been granted such an honor.

Yi Feng would never stand her up...

So why hadn’t he risen yet?

Her heart filled with unease as she glanced toward the distant sea of clouds.

Only then did Bai Piaopiao notice the first glow of dawn in the east.

It seemed...

she had come far too early.

A soft, self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips.

"How could I lose my composure like this... Thankfully, no one knows..."

Just as she murmured to herself,

another servant hurried over from the sea of clouds, bowing urgently—clearly bearing important news.

"Your Majesty—"

Before the servant could finish, Bai Piaopiao’s heart leapt with joy, unable to suppress her eager question.

"Has Young Master Yi Feng arrived?"

The servant bowed again. "Your Majesty, it is not Young Master Yi Feng, but Chess Saint Lord Gu who has come to visit."

Gu Qingcheng?

At the name, the anticipation in Bai Piaopiao’s eyes faded into disappointment, gradually replaced by frosty indifference.

"I will not see him."

The servant hastily retreated, not daring to say another word.

Chess Saint Gu Qingcheng—

the eldest son of the ancient Gu Clan, a prodigy of the Tianxia Society, a man of unparalleled talent who had attained sainthood through the art of chess. His beauty was legendary; even as a man, he was praised for his "city-toppling" looks, living up to his name.

With such brilliance and charm, countless noblewomen had fallen for him.

Yet, alas,

he had never earned the White Emperor’s favor.

This saint had visited many times,

only to be turned away repeatedly.

The matter was no secret—anyone of status had heard of it.

Though the servants might have countless questions,

their mistress was also a saint. The affairs between saints had their own logic, and none dared to pry.

As the servant withdrew,

Bai Piaopiao’s frustration eased slightly, and she resumed her quiet wait for Yi Feng.

Suddenly,

ripples of spatial distortion appeared outside the pavilion.

Bai Piaopiao’s eyes widened in shock.

Had Yi Feng broken through to sainthood?

Was his talent truly so monstrous?!

Unconsciously, a glimmer of hope flickered in her gaze.

But when the figure became clear—

dressed in luxurious robes, holding a sandalwood fan, wearing a refined smile—her clear eyes cooled once more.

The newcomer, exuding noble grace, clasped his hands in a practiced bow.

"White Emperor, forgive my intrusion. This humble one grew impatient waiting and took the liberty of entering. If I have offended, I beg your leniency."

This was none other than Chess Saint Gu Qingcheng.

His words were polished, his bow fluid, carrying an air of scholarly elegance.

After all, he was a saint,

and with the backing of an ancient clan,

now that he had already forced his way in,

Bai Piaopiao could hardly make a scene. Besides, her temperament was naturally magnanimous, so she responded with a perfunctory acknowledgment.

"Chess Saint, you are too courteous."

Yet this single polite phrase

seemed to embolden Gu Qingcheng. Confidence blooming, he rose with a smile and strode into the pavilion, seating himself opposite her at the tea table.

Fanning himself leisurely, he began to chat with practiced charm.

"The White Emperor has such refined tastes.

Ah?

Purple Cloud Immortal Tea—such a rarity, reserved only for saints. Could it be that Your Majesty knew I would visit and prepared it in advance?

If so, I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude."

Gu Qingcheng’s eyes crinkled with delight.

He was undeniably a peerless beauty, the kind that inspired instant admiration. As his fan swayed with effortless grace, an intoxicating fragrance wafted through the air—a scent so potent that ordinary cultivators would find their power surging just from a whiff. Such was the privilege of saints and ancient clans.

But Bai Piaopiao was also a saint,

her heritage far beyond the ordinary.

Now, as the overpowering aroma drowned out the delicate fragrance of her immortal tea,

her carefully arranged moment was ruined.

And seeing Gu Qingcheng seated on the cushion meant for Yi Feng...

Her usual patience and tolerance evaporated.

Her fair face turned icy.

"You flatter yourself, Chess Saint."

His smooth words and feigned humility were met with nothing but frost.

A lesser man

might have flushed with humiliation, eyes burning with resentment.

But Gu Qingcheng was no ordinary man.

Having been rejected multiple times, his pride and resilience had been tempered to steel.

After only a brief pause,

he laughed off the awkwardness and smoothly changed the subject.

"Hahaha, it is precisely the White Emperor’s honesty that I admire. Every meeting with you refreshes my spirit."

Once the flattery was out,

Gu Qingcheng’s smile warmed, his tone turning intimate.

"Piaopiao.

Truth be told, I’ve discovered a place of unparalleled beauty in a distant realm—no less magnificent than your sacred domain, untouched by most. I came specifically to invite you to see it.

If you witness it, the memory will stay with you forever!"

With his breathtaking looks,

his tender voice, and his affectionate words, the scene was like something out of a maiden’s dream.

This tactic had won over countless noblewomen.

It had never failed him before.

His gaze deepened with emotion,

the confidence in his eyes growing ever brighter.

Yet within a single breath,

Bai Piaopiao replied—her voice colder than ever.

"I’m busy. I won’t go."

The words were brutally blunt, devoid of even the slightest courtesy.

Even Gu Qingcheng

couldn’t maintain his composure this time, his smile stiffening.

Forcing a chuckle,

he pressed on, his left hand reaching subtly for her delicate fingers.

"Piaopiao...

Why must you always push me away? After all my visits, surely you understand my feelings...?"

Just as his fingers were about to brush hers,

the space before him rippled—and Bai Piaopiao’s figure vanished instantly.

Gu Qingcheng grasped at empty air,

his face frozen in shock.

Turning,

he saw her standing outside the pavilion, her back to him as she spoke with icy finality.

"Chess Saint, know your place."

The words were like glacial winds.

This was completely beyond Gu Qingcheng’s expectations, his eyes flashing with pain.

At this moment,

he could no longer suppress his frustration. Snapping his fan shut, he stood abruptly, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Why?

Why won’t you accept me?! In cultivation, in lineage—what do I lack?! Do you have any idea how many women dream of catching my attention?!"

But as he vented his indignation,

Bai Piaopiao seemed to notice something else entirely, ignoring him as she took light, hurried steps down the jade stairs—like an ordinary person,

or like someone eagerly welcoming a dear friend.

How could this be?

A saint,

discarding all dignity and restraint, rushing to greet someone like this?

Who could possibly

matter so much to Bai Piaopiao?

Could it be Su Jie?

Left behind, Gu Qingcheng watched with cold eyes,

his gaze a mix of resentment and bewilderment.

His gaze fixed intently ahead.

In the distance, a figure indeed approached.

A man?

It was actually a man?!

Gu Qingcheng froze for a moment, his grip tightening around the wooden fan!

Then—

He heard it. A voice, soft and tender, unlike anything he'd ever heard before.

"You've come...?"

Nervousness.

Affection!

That restrained yet eager delight!

Even with just three words,

Gu Qingcheng, a man who had wandered through countless blossoms, instantly discerned layers of meaning!

The jade fan creaked under his crushing grip!

Fury blazed in his eyes!